Postcard – Multi-Colour William Kentridge Ubu Tells The Truth A5

William Kentridge was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kentridge, who is celebrated internationally for his prints, animated films, drawings and theatre productions, continues to live and work in Johannesburg. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and African Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, together with a diploma in Fine Arts from the Johannesburg Art Foundation. As a former aspiring actor, he also studied mime and theatre at the L’Ecole the Internationale de Theatre Jacques Lecoq in Paris. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand (2004).

Ubu and the Truth Commission, is an image of Kentridge’s fictional character, Felix Teitelbaum, as he wrestles with guilt and regret. Laying nude on a surgical tray or gurney, Felix is surrounded by an outline of another fictional character created in 1896 by Alfred Jarry, named Ubu. Kentridge drew these two characters together to reflect on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. As the hearings were conducted and the sober documentary evidence surfaced, the country was faced with the many unknown truths.

Ubu Tells the Truth. 1997. Suite of 8 etchings with soft ground, aquatint and dry point on paper, each from one zinc plate and an engraved polycarbon sheet. 36 x 50 cm. Edition of 45.